Girard health fair wraps a week of wellness activities

There were clowns and games, like any fair, but the one at Girard High School was about more than fun.

The event Saturday was the school district’s wrap-up to its Wellness Week.

“We decided this year we wanted to really start making a difference, not only in our children, but in our community,” said Roger Parson, the district’s regional food-service director. “Everything that happens here at Girard City Schools goes out to the community through the children. So we wanted parents and grandparents [involved], and we thought this would be the best way to top off our whole Wellness Week.”

The weeklong wellness activities for students included learning Zumba, a dance-based fitness program, and nutritious snacks every day, Parson said.

“We wanted everybody to try a sugar snap pea,” Pardon said. “You would be surprised at how many kids have never seen or eaten a raw sugar snap pea, or a raw green bean or chick peas or things like that.”

Those who attended the health and wellness fair had a chance to sample those and other vegetables, as well.

Participants also could try an obstacle course in the gym, snack on apples and pears, have their hearing checked, learn their body fat index, and more.

“It’s awesome,” said Anthony Piganelli, a third-grade Girard student. “I got to go play in the gym.”

This was their first time at a wellness event, said his mother, Amy Piganelli.

“It’s a very nice event,” she said. “The kids have loved coming out and seeing the different things. It’s just nice to get out and learn some new things about health and wellness.”

Madison Piganelli, 4, attended the event with her mother and brother.

“We did the obstacle course,” she said, noting that it was fun.

Hanna Eldridge and Kaila DeChristofaro, both freshmen at Girard High School, were looking for something to do, so they stopped by the wellness fair.